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Concerns about public health are causing keepers to put resident peacocks up for adoption with rural homeowners after decades of life in the Washington Park area, reported the Portland Oregonian Monday.

The birds are not well-mannered zoo animals despite their elegant plumage. A recent attack on a 4-year-old boy resulted in public scrutiny. It has also become better understood that the free-roaming birds might be able to transmit salmonella, West Nile virus or other diseases to a wide variety of species confined in zoo exhibits.

The flock once numbered over 30 but has been gradually reduced by measures including vasectomies to under 10. Now zoo keepers face the difficult task of trying to catch the remaining wily birds who have learned to flee into treetops whenever a uniformed zookeeper approaches.

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